Maranoa Style

MARANOA SUMMER 2018 ◆ ISSUE 18 ◆ FREE

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ROMA CUP FASHION

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EDITION BEAUTY ◆ WELLBEING ◆ FOOD ◆ TRAVEL ◆ SOCIAL SCENE

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C O N T E N T S

INSIDE 4

THE BARN An oasis outside of Pickanjinnie

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SUMMER SKIN CARE Look after your skin this Christmas

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TACKLE 2019 HEAD ON Keep the New Year on track

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YOUR SUMMER LOOK The right foundation choice

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PARTY TRICKS Make your night a hit

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FASHIONS ON THE FIELD Roma Races style

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HOMEMADE Gingerbread

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HARMONY AT HOME De-clutter to de-stress

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HAM IT UP Make the most of that Christmas ham

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SUMMER STARS Horoscopes

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CONTACT US

• Rural Family Support Program • Community Development Program

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• Local Drug Action Team • Community Housing

Office hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday WE HAVE MOVED TO: 32 Henry St, St George.

P: 07 4625 5450 | E: admin@carebalonne.com | W: www.carebalonne.com 2

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• Conference Room hire • Jumping castle 6905057aa

Operations manager: Nicole McDougall Advertising: Greg Latta, Hineata Cash and Stephanie Stonehouse Inquiries: advertising@westernstarnews.com Publisher’s Indemnity: Maranoa Style Magazine is published by Newscorp Australia.

Those who make advertising placement and/or supply copy material or editorial submissions to style magazine, undertake to ensure that all such material does not infringe on copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title breach of confidence, does not contain anything obscene or indecent, or does not infringe the trade practices act or other laws, regulations or statutes. Further to the above-mentioned, these persons agree to indemnity the publisher and/or its agents against and investigations, claim or judgements.

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H O M E & L I V I N G

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TOP OF THE PILE

Don’t back yourself into a corner, when it comes to carpet, get professional advice

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savvy home renovator knows when to spend and when to save. In the case of carpet installation, we believe it’s best to call in the pros. The following are some of the reasons why we think investing in an professionally-installed carpet is worthwhile.

Time

A novice may struggle to achieve the same high quality installation without the knowledge that lets professionals anticipate problem areas and how to work around them. Any little errors will definitely pile onto the hours you spend on this task.

Cost

Estimating the right amount of carpet is a challenge in itself, not to mention getting it out here. Professionals will identify traffic patterns and light direction which affect carpet’s appearance. If an installer makes an error, any extra carpet and labour needed will be absorbed into the cost of the installation. If you make an error, you foot the bill for the cost of any additional carpet.

Equipment

The correct tools to install floor coverings are available for hire,

ANDERSENS’ INSTALLERS ON THE JOB.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

but without training in using this equipment, you could be unknowingly using them incorrectly, resulting in a poorly-installed carpet.

Warranty

Manufacturers’ warranties usually only cover faults caused during the manufacturing process. If you install carpet yourself, you could be left out of luck and out of pocket if any issues arise.

Andersens, on the other hand, offer a Life of your Carpet Installation Guarantee*. This guarantees the workmanship and installation materials for the lifetime of your carpet, so you can have the peace of mind of knowing your carpet will last.

If you would like to organise for Andersens Roma to install carpet in your home, give us a call on 1300 306 810, or visit us at 113 Mcdowall St - near the traffic lights. *Terms and conditions apply. See in-store for details.

beatable UnGUARANTEES 6804776ah

For a free measure & quote call 4622 5629 or visit 113 McDowall St, Roma

CARPET Æ TIMBER Æ VINYL Æ TILES Æ RUGS Æ SHUTTERS Æ BLINDS Æ AWNINGS *Terms and Conditions apply. See in store for details.

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December 2018

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F O O D & L I F E S T Y LE

AN OASIS OUTSIDE OF PICKANJINNIE The Barn offers a creative rural space for events JORJA MCDONNELL

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EVENTEEN kilometres past the red and yellow turtle who sits by the Warrego Highway is a surprising and ever-evolving event space which prides itself on its ability to host any possible celebration.

A converted American-style barn on a 12,000-hectare cattle property, The Barn at Mt Hope combines country and glamour to put together a versatile and aesthetically pleasing event space for all occasions.

The Price family has hosted weddings, concerts, conferences and even art workshops at their quirky and stylish barn, proving they can cater for all – and they do – with their stunning spaces and commercial kitchen.

Owner and manager Rhee Price described their style as “outback vintage” with plenty of corrugated iron, recycled timber and fairy lights (ticking all the boxes for stunning Instagram shots).

“The jewel in our crown is the windmill fan, suspended from the ceiling and covered with lights; a chandelier actually hangs from that, it’s a bit quirky but we love it,” she said.

“Here at The Barn we specialise in events, hiring out to the community.

While the venue itself is still new on the scene, it is in no way indicative of Ms Price’s experience in events.

“We’ve only been open for about 12 months and have been functioning properly for about the last four, hosting weddings, birthday parties, art workshops, corporate functions and charity events,” she said.

“But over the past eight years, well before we were running as a full events space, we hosted an annual family fun day to raise money for different cancer associations and people in the district and have raised over $100,000 through those.

“Before we had the barn, we used to host weddings for family and friends, and before this I was also on the local council for 12 years with a tourism portfolio.

“I got to see a lot of what we had in our region and what other regions were doing, and that is what prompted me to start this. “(The Barn) is something that was in my head for a long time because I wanted something that my family could get involved with, doing it on our property.

“I had in the back of my mind what I was going to do, but for a long time I was too busy to do it.”

With this new project, the Price family is certainly kept busy, and with Christmas just around the corner they have been flooded with bookings for end-of-year celebrations.

“We are booked out on every Saturday night right up until Christmas; considering we haven’t really advertised and have relied on word of mouth, it’s really good,” Ms Price said.

Garnering this kind of business through word of mouth and social media is a testament to The Barn’s excellence in events, and Ms Price has confirmed her family and team had no intention of being complacent.

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“Right now we are also testing the waters on new additions to The Barn – getting a liquor licence and looking in to accommodation, which will hopefully take off soon,” she said.

“I also want to branch out in to corporate functions, because it’s an area we haven’t really touched on yet.

“It would be great to give teams a space to get away from their offices and brainstorm or do whatever corporate people do.”

In Ms Price’s eyes, every event is as unique as the client who comes to her, which is why the business is always flexible in its planning.

“The main thing is that we can provide the venue and the catering and have options there for anyone who wants to hold an event,” she said.

“We can be as involved or as hands-off as the client likes, can provide country-style catering and are also in the process of becoming a licensed venue.

“Alternatively, clients are welcome to bring in their own caterers who can make use of our fully equipped (licensed) kitchen.

“We really don’t mind either way.

“I always wanted to have the options there, right from the beginning, whether it’s the shipping container stage for bands, the dancefloor under lights, the campfire area where we have cooked camp-oven dinners, and our latest addition is the brand-new pizza oven from CT Fire and Ironwork in Roma.”

With 12,000 hectares, and a can-do attitude when it comes to client needs, Ms Price and the whole team are at the forefront of glamorous events in the most unassuming of locations.

Looking ahead, she said the only certainties at The Barn were innovation, additions, and incredible events.

“We’ve got lots of options, and into the future we plan on being taken wherever people want to take us,” she said.

The Barn.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

SLAP ON SUNSCREEN: Your daily routine should include application of sunscreen.

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PHOTO: UTKAMANDARINKA

SUMMER SKIN CARE Slip, slop, slap is still the best advice to beat skin cancer

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ARIOUS factors affect whether a person can get skin cancer but the old adage of slip, slop, slap applies to everyone.

Two in three Australians develop skin cancer by age 70. It starts with the sun damaging the DNA in the skin cells and that damage accumulating over time, even if we don’t get sunburnt.

We only need 10-15 minutes of early morning sunshine on our skin each day to produce our daily vitamin D needs.

“The rest of your day you should be focusing on your sun protection,” University of Queensland Diamantina Instituten dermatologist, Associate Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani said.

The recent Australian Sunscreen Summit found the daily application of sunscreen, whether it was 30 or 50 plus, was the most effective protection.

Prof Khosrotehrani said if you weren’t sure what type to use, try samples at your pharmacy. But avoid spray-on sunscreens as you really don’t know how much gets on your skin.

Anyone who has fair skin, sun spots or has already had skin

cancer should make it their daily routine to apply sunscreen on the two places most likely to be exposed to significant UV index – their face including forehead and ears, and the back of their hands. Cover up by wearing UV resistant clothing.

Monitoring the condition of your skin is also important.

Look out for an inflamed pimple or a wounded area that hasn’t healed for a couple of weeks.

“A lot skin cancers manifest like that,” Prof Khosrotehrani said.

With moles and brown lesions, if you have a new lesion or one that is changing rapidly. Everyone should have a full skin check at least once.

The GP can then advise how often you should get rechecked after that.

You can also use the online tool qskin.qimrberghofer.edu.au to predict the risk of you developing non-melanoma skin cancers within three years.

If you have had skin cancer, Prof Khosrotehrani recommended you should get a full skin check every 6-12 month.

Think you>re safe from Skin Cancer? Think again.

DON>T RISK IT!

Have a skin check with Dr Eddie Roos or Dr Albert Vermeulen Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70 www.westernstarnews.com.au

BOOK NOW

4638 2700 (no referral needed) December 2018

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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

PHOTO: SKYNESHER

TACKLE 2019 HEAD ON Put your new year’s fitness resolutions into action

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HE start of a new year is a time when we are all full of hope.

Generally, thanks to that hopefulness, at the top of the list tends to be “get fit this year”.

However, achieving this is easier said than done. Going about your fitness goal correctly will help ensure you do not fall off the bandwagon a couple of weeks in. Taking the first step is often the hardest, so making an action plan will give you direction. Write your measurements and heath goals and make them specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused and time bound. Make your resolutions manageable and break them up with smaller goals. For example, if you are new to running, don’t pick finishing a marathon in 2019 as your first goal. Start with a learn-to-run program and start to build your running challenges as you achieve each goal — that way you feel motivated by your results. Reward yourself as you accomplish your goals by buying a new workout outfit or getting a massage, but pre-set the reward

so you have something to work for.

The more people on your team the better your chances are to succeed, so join fitness group, use a personal trainer, or find a training buddy. Boredom is one of the biggest reasons for resolution failure, so whenever you find yourself losing momentum, change it up and try something new to keep motivated and challenged.

Work out how often you can train and for how long and put it in your diary; that way you are making it an appointment that can not be broken. Above all, don’t be afraid to alter and re-evaluate your goals over the next 12 months. If you thought you wanted to get fit by running and you find that you hate pounding the pavement, don’t give up on getting fit — try something new.

“Boredom is one of the biggest reasons for resolution failure, so whenever you find yourself losing momentum, change it up and try something new to keep motivated and challenged."

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HORSE HOUSE

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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

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EXPERIENCE COUNTS It pays to take action earlier rather than later when it comes to infertility

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IME is of the essence when it comes to fertility problems, and Toowoomba patients are in safe hands under the expert care of Dr John Esler and his experienced team at the Queensland Fertility Group Toowoomba Clinic.

With more than 20 years’ experience in fertility services, Dr Esler offers cutting edge techniques, procedures and treatments that are considered by leading international fertility experts as giving patients the best and safest chance of achieving a pregnancy.

Dr Esler understands that infertility problems are highly distressing and he recommends that patients should seek treatment early and from an experienced fertility specialist.

“Infertility is defined as the inability to fall pregnant after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse, and for those over the age of 35 years, it is defined as inability to conceive afters six months of unprotected sexual intercourse,” he said. “Fertility problems are not confined to the female - male infertility can be a contributing factor which needs to be appropriately investigated.

“I see so many patients who waited too long or spent unnecessarily on procedures that were never going to help their situation, so it is very important for couples to seek treatment from an experienced fertility specialist as early as possible.”

Dr Esler and his experienced team try to make the fertility journey easier for patients. They offer a complete range of fertility investigations and treatments based on cutting-edge science and best practice techniques that are clinically and scientifically proven to produce high pregnancy rates with minimal risk to the patient. Patient needs are always a priority at QFG Toowoomba and the fertility services offered range from low-cost inseminations to full IVF services.

All are personalised to the needs of the patient and patient preferences for specific treatment modalities are accommodated.

There are no delays in accessing treatment.

The QFG Toowoomba Clinic provides a relaxed and friendly environment, with diagnostic and procedural facilities conveniently located in-house. Dr Esler is one of Queensland’s most experienced gynaecology medical, surgical and fertility specialists. He established the QFG Toowoomba Clinic in 1996, and he and his team have helped produce more than 1200 babies for happy parents.

Dr John Esler &

Queensland Fertility Group Toowoomba

Experience counts every time Gynaecologist, Gynaecological Surgeon & Fertility Specialist

• Quality care • Expert advice • Friendly, patient focussed service.

Toowoomba Specialist Centre Suite 15, 9 Scott St., Toowoomba QLD 4350

6804672ai

TEL: 07 4638 5533 For referrals please see your GP www.westernstarnews.com.au

December 2018

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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

Consider using lighter alternatives to foundation during warmer months.

PHOTO: KIUIKSON

YOUR SUMMER LOOK Use the right foundation to feel fresh and natural

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ITH summer arriving, it’s possible you may need a few adjustments to your make-up routine. With this in mind, Downs Style will run through a few options for you during the hotter months of the year.

TINTED MOISTURISER: If you don’t want heavy coverage but rather a summery, natural look, tinted moisturiser is a good option. It will provide you with some colour. Tinted moisturiser is designed for women who aren’t interested in foundation and want to keep their look natural. It can also complement a foundation.

When choosing your foundation, you are going to come up with two choices – liquid and powder. Liquid foundation is often a good choice because it can give more of a natural appearance and provide moisture for those with dry skin. Powder can be good for those with oily skin, as it will absorb oil from the face and reduce shine. Powder is often lighter than its liquid counterpart – something to keep in mind if you don’t want heavy make-up.

When you’ve applied your liquid foundation, an alternative to reduce shine is finishing powder – which will help set make-up.

FOUNDATION: With a larger range of skin tones available, there are times when the best option is to go with a foundation.

Before applying the foundation, it is important to apply a primer – even more in summer months.

PRIMER: Primer is a base to use before applying foundation. It will keep make-up in the right place, which can be a problem, particularly in hotter weather. Primer is often a gel and gives a nice surface to apply foundation and keeps make-up where it should be. When thinking about what primer to use, it is important to keep lighter alternatives in the back of your mind.

Tinted moisturiser, BB cream and CC cream.

BB CREAM: If you want to step beyond a tinted moisturiser, BB cream is a good option. This will give more coverage than the moisturiser but is not as thick as a foundation. BB cream will offer plenty of skin care benefits including SPF and anti-oxidants.

Compared to foundation, these will have fewer options for tone.

CC CREAM: CC cream is similar to the BB creams, but can help with such issues as dry skin and redness. CC stands for colour corrective, so this is what these products were designed for. CC cream will also usually have SPF. Any of these products can be used as a base for foundation. It means you may be able to apply less foundation while using them.

Washing, Drying & Ironing service

Laurel Dorrough 38 Bowen Street, Roma Qld 4455 Mobile: 0400 380 242 8

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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

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TREAT YOUR FEET Summer is well and truly here, so it is time to show off your tootsies

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OU may have the main areas covered but what about the little things?

Our feet are often forgotten in the bikini-body rush.

If you are tempted to keep those shoes on because of winter neglect, a do-it-yourself pedicure is the cheapest and easiest way to get those feet summer ready.

What to do

1. Pre-clean.

Remove any nail polish.

2. Soak those feet.

This softens dead skin cells ahead of exfoliation.

Add a teaspoon of tea tree oil (to kill bacteria), half a cup of Epsom salts (to rejuvenate your feet) and three drops of peppermint or rosemary oil (to freshen your feet).

3. Get rid of the rough.

You will need an exfoliant with medium-sized grains, such as salt crystals or sugar – the latter is less irritating.

Start at your heels and work up to your toes, ankles and calves with small circular motions. Spend a minute or two on each foot before rinsing with warm water.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

4. Be smooth.

Get rid of calluses with a body wash-coated pumice stone.

Be gentle. Lightly scrape the bottom of your feet and toes.

5. Trim down.

Cut your toenails in a straight line with a clipper and smooth the edges with a nail file.

6. Massage.

Use a moisturiser designed specifically for feet.

Cover your feet, ankles and calves.

Use your knuckles to give your feet a mini massage while you are at it.

7. Get your colour on.

Prepare your nails with an acetone-free (acetone will damage your nails) nail polish to remove any residual moisturiser.

8. Insert foam toe separators before applying the base coat.

9. Add two layers of coloured polish to make your shine last and prevent chipping.

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THE HON.

DAVID LITTLEPROUD

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MARANOA MP

WHAT I’VE DELIVERED FOR MARANOA IN 2018 $7 MILLION FOR SAFER ROADS AND MORE EFFICIENT ROUTES

$20,000 FOR ROMA AERO CLUB Roma Aero Club president Seb Pollock and Maranoa MP David Littleproud ready for take-off.

Roma Aero Club received $20,000 to improve their facilities for emergency transfers and to expand the building by constructing an entertainment area thanks to the previous round of Stronger Communities funding.

MARANOA received $7,001,000 to upgrade Jackson’s Wandoan Road, the Carnarvon Highway, Upper Dawson and Carnarvon Highway near St George.

$2.4 MILLION THROUGH NATURAL DISASTER RESILIENCE PROGRAMME THIS FUNDING has given our bush communities the opportunity to go above and beyond the usual repair and restoration of roads and public infrastructure to improve preparedness.

The Maranoa Regional Council received $150,000 for the assessment of natural hazard risks to all critical infrastructure in the Maranoa Local Disaster Management Group region and development of flood mapping tools.

$8,498 FOR MEN’S SHED FUNDING RESEARCH suggests many from the bush, especially men, don’t feel comfortable using structured health and support services, so Men’s Shed helps them connect with local services to improve mental and general health as well as being involved in the community.

The Roma Community Men’s Shed used it’s grant to install a Zippy boiler and dishwasher to enhance the meeting space and also have an 80sqm concrete slab laid around the shed to address safety and access, particularly for those with disabilities.

$53,588 BOOST THROUGH BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND – COMMUNITY STREAM

Above: National Disability Coordination Officer Debbie Rooskov helps me to try out the ‘virtual experience’ – created by STEPS Group Australia – which received $53,588 in Federal Government funding for Blackall, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Longreach, St George, Roma and Winton.

$3.6 MILLION FOR MAINTAINING AND UPGRADING LOCAL ROADS IN 2014-19 AFTER a day at work or travelling back from a family holiday – upgrading our road network means we can return home safely and improve our region’s connectivity.

That’s why the Coalition Federal Government has invested $3.6 million in the Maranoa Regional Council region under the Roads to Recovery Programme to maintain and upgrade local roads.

$17.4 MILLION IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN 2018-19

RESIDENTS of Roma will be able to take a virtual tour of a University Campus and explore career and education opportunities, thanks to $53,588 from the Coalition Government.

MARANOA Regional Council was able to start work on crucial new community projects following a payment of $2,170,011 through the Financial Assistance Grants Programme in August this year.

WARREGO HIGHWAY UPGRADE PROGRAMME (WHUP) EXTENDED

$3.9 MILLION FOR ROMA SALEYARD MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY

THE WHUP comprises 18 projects being delivered between Toowoomba and west of Miles. The $635 million investment is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, with the Coalition Government contributing $508 million and the Queensland Government contributing $127 million.

THIS successful Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) project completed construction this year. The Roma Saleyard Multi-Purpose Facility includes the fit-out of an interactive centre to showcase the livestock industry in the region.

Focused on Maranoa’s future | 63 Arthur Street, Roma Q 4455 | david.littleproud.mp@aph.gov.au | www.davidlittleproud.com.au

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THE AUSTRALIAN HOTEL MOTEL SPECIAL EVENTS:

Tuesday Pizza Night - 2 for 1 Wednesday Trivia Night - 7pm, groups of up to 6 Sunday Afternoon sessions at The Aussie with live music and cocktails

The Whiskey Bar Open Friday and Saturday from 8pm.

New cocktails and whiskeys.

Functions and event bookings available in The Beer Garden, Dining Room, Balonne Room and Whiskey Bar.

Accommodation with river views and special rates for contractors.

ALL NEW MENU: Breakfast 6am - 9.30am Lunch 12pm - 2pm

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Website: www.aushotel.com.au Instagram: www.instagram.com/theaussiehotel Facebook: www.facebook.com/AustralianHotelMotel December 2018

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Dinner 6pm - 8:30pm

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F O O D & L I F E S T Y L E

PHOTO: MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES

PARTY TRICKS With cold drinks and plenty of snags on the barbie, Christmas entertaining is a breeze

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HRISTMAS can also have its fair share of problems if you don’t plan carefully. Christmas is indeed the season of celebrating, and you may attend work or personal parties. You may even host one yourself. Keeping this in mind, Downs Style has compiled a comprehensive list of tips and tricks to keep your party in full swing during summer.

Planning

One of the most important aspects to keep in mind during the planning phase is the guest list. Factor in the amount of space available for the event, and the make-up of the people at the party.

Make sure you cater towards numbers you are able to fit in the space. No one likes reaching into an empty bowl of potato chips either, so cater for the party you can also afford. Keep track of those RSVPs too so you know how many you can cater for – otherwise you could be eating spring rolls for the next fortnight just to get rid of them.

Music

Ditch the CDs and even your digital song collection – streaming music is now the best way to get a party pumping. Programs like Spotify or Rdio are designed to create the best music experience for your guests. Station a phone or tablet with the speakers on a separate table (well away from food and drink) and allow guests to choose the next song to play. These programs can also help you create easy to use playlists. A good mix of genres is sure to keep everyone at the party entertained.

Food

If you are going to cater a larger backyard party yourself, stick to

finger food appetisers which can be prepared quickly early in the proceedings. Look for recipes which can be prepared in advance.

When guests find their stomachs rumbling for something more substantial, it can be hard to look past the barbecue. While throwing a few steaks on can be a foolproof way to feed heaps of guests, there is another option for your meat-eating guests – pulled pork. The beauty of pulled pork or other slow cooked meats is it will drastically limit your cooking time during the party. Drop a large (and we mean seriously large) bit of pork shoulder/collar into your slow cooker about 10 hours before your first guests arrive. Throw in two cups of chicken stock, ½ a cup of apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, cumin, chopped onion and garlic and pop the lid on. Shred it and add your favourite barbecue sauce. Combine with fresh hamburger buns and an unbeatable apple and cabbage slaw, and you have a sure-fire hit dinner for party guests.

Drinks

Are you providing alcohol for your guests, do they have to bring their own, or is it a mixture of the two? If you are providing, make sure there is an equal share of beer and wine to cater for all tastes. For those inclined to take on spirits, a fruit-based punch is a good way to provide it responsibly.

If there is plenty of edible food and refreshing beverages, your guests are sure to have a great time. No one will want to stand up for the entire party, so make sure you provide seating for guests.

If you follow these tips, your outdoor party this summer will be a sure-fire hit.

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• Two large Artesian water pools • Free Gym • Weekly Yoga • Beauty by Jess • Julie’s Healing Room • CAFE on the Deck

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F O O D & L I F E S T Y L E

advance communications www.westernstarnews.com.au

some more fresh mint. Drink with a straw.

PINA COLADA It’s famous for a reason.

YOU WILL NEED: ■ A tall glass ■ 60ml golden rum ■ 60ml coconut cream ■ 120ml pineapple juice ■ Two or three ice cubes ■ Pineapple stick ■ Maraschino cherry METHOD Combine rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice and blend, using either a blender or cocktail shaker. Put ice cubes in a highball glass, add your drink and garnish with pineapple and cherry.

86 Miscamble Street, Roma QLD 4455 Tel: (07) 4592 1100 www.advancecomms.com.au

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Pina Colada. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

MINT JULEP This one is beautiful on a hot afternoon.

YOU WILL NEED: ■ Mint ■ Bourbon ■ Crushed ice ■ Sugar ■ Soda water ■ A short glass METHOD Pour soda water into your glass. Stir in two teaspoons of fine sugar. Press fresh mint leaves against the inside of the glass and add at least a shot of bourbon. Gently stir some crushed ice through the drink and garnish with

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DENTURES WITH Our Clinic’s are committed to Providing Quality Care & Service for your denture needs.

Full & Partial Dentures 1 Hr Repairs/Relines Mouthguards Health Fund Rebates

IMPLANT RETAINED

Veteran Affairs Seniors / Pension Discounts

DENTURES FREE

PETER ToPalov Phone: 4638 9355 MOUTH GUARD

90 West St Toowoomba 4350 (OPPOSITE ST MARY’S)

PGDipCDTech (Otago University)

Reg. Dental Prosthetist/Technician

New address

Phone: 4638 7854

21 Patrick Street, Dalby 4405

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CONSULTATION

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FAS H I O N

FASHIONS TAKE THE FIELD AT ROMA CUP ALMOST 7000 punters filled the track-side spaces at Bassett Park in anticipation of the Royal on 99 Roma Cup on Saturday, November 17.

As always, only the finest fashions were present on the field to celebrate the event.

Despite the intense heat, multitudes of suits, dresses, hats, fascinators and shoes created a sea of colour to light up the yearly race.

Ladies and gentlemen dolled up and dressed up to the nines, putting their best foot forward with different, classic and daring spring styles.

The day drew competitors and spectators alike from all around the state, making for an action packed and enjoyable outing for all.

Jessica Oakden, Ainsley Clanchy, Sarah Hedge and Natasha Ball.

PHOTO: JORJA MCDONNELL

Louise Hiscock, Leigh Kenna and Belinda Raies.

PHOTO: JORJA MCDONNELL

Sally Holmes and Barbara Arthy.

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December 2018

PHOTO: JORJA MCDONNELL

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Steph Anderson, Teleigha Tucker, Sophia Meland.

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Yu Liu and Hanif Hamid.

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F O O D & L I F E S T Y L E

Homemade gingerbread is a always scrumptious at Christmas.

PHOTO: SERBOGACHUK

HOMEMADE It’s time to don the apron and hop into some delicious Christmas baking

T

HE hinterland is renowned for fresh seasonal produce, and with the festive season almost upon us, many people are donning their aprons and getting ready for Christmas with delicious homemade creations. Think pavlova with sticky passionfruit, fresh cherries, sweet strawberries and segments of mango. Or perhaps a plum pudding is more your style, with some delicious brandy custard. One delicacy you cannot go past is scrumptious gingerbread. Whether you like this biscuity treat as a gingerbread man or you take things up a notch and create a gingerbread house, this recipe is as fun to make as the finished product is to eat.

INGREDIENTS ■ 150g unsalted butter, cubed ■ 125ml golden syrup ■ 1 tsp bicarb soda ■ 450g plain flour ■ 1 tbsp ground ginger ■ 1 tsp ground cinnamon ■ ½ tsp nutmeg ■ ½ tsp ground cloves ■ ½ tsp baking powder

■ 1 egg, whisked Ready-made icing and sprinkles to decorate.

METHOD Grease and flour two large baking trays. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius. In a medium saucepan, melt butter, golden syrup and sugar over a medium heat. Stir for three minutes or until sugar has dissolved. Bring the mixture to the boil and then remove from heat. Add the bicarb soda and stir to combine.

Transfer this mixture to a large heatproof bowl and set aside to cool. Sift the plain flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and baking powder into the cooled butter mixture. Add in the whisked egg and stir until mixture is smooth. Lightly flour your bench top and turn the gingerbread mixture onto the floured surface. Knead the mixture to ensure it is smooth (don’t overdo it – otherwise your biscuits will be too hard when cooked). Sit the kneaded dough in a clean bowl and cover with cling wrap. Put in the fridge until dough is firm to touch. Roll out the dough to a thickness of 5mm between two pieces of baking paper. Using a pastry cutter, cut out your biscuits. Place the cut biscuits on the floured trays, 3cm apart. Bake for eight minutes or until firm to touch. Cool for at least five minutes before decorating with icing and sprinkles.

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December 2018

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H O M E & L I V I N G

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HARMONY AT HOME

Start the New Year right by de-cluttering your house and make it into a sanctuary

A

S life just keeps getting busier, adding a bit of harmony to the space you inhabit can have multiple benefits.

The ancient Chinese art of feng shui, literally translated as wind-water in English, is centred on harmonising an individual’s existence with the environment they inhabit.

The first step is to de-clutter your space.

Those maybe-one-day items you have been hoarding for years should be the first to go.

They are simply taking up space and adding dead energy to your rooms.

Feng shui is all about light and air flow, so take a look at the curtains and furniture placement around your home and see whether it maximises the home’s natural light.

Add in an air purifying plant and consider how you can incorporate the five feng shui elements into your home.

PHOTO: COURTNEYK

One easy way is through their corresponding colours; wood: green and brown; fire: red, strong yellow, orange, pink or purple; earth: light yellow, sandy or earthy hues or light brown; metal: white or grey and water: blue or black.

Different zones of the house also correspond to specific areas of your life, known as the Bagua energy map.

Define where each of these zones is in your home and tailor your house accordingly.

The areas are wealth; fame and aspiration; relationship; family ancestors; health; creativity and children; study, knowledge and meditation; career and life path; helpful friends and travel guides.

When mapping these zones in your home decide whether to use the (western) front door method or the (traditional) compass method and consult a website such as easy-feng-shui.com to understand the concept behind the use of Bagua.

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December 2018

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H E A LT H & L I F E S T YL E

FLYING SOLO 5 tips for handling Christmas period as a newly separated parent

S

o whilst many families are making lists (and checking them twice), cementing Christmas party plans, and finding that elusive perfect outfit, separated parents also have the worry of “what are we doing with the kids?”. When the holidays hit, it is easy for a newly separated parent to be caught up in seasonal angst and new unchartered territory, so here are 5 tips in for navigating your first Christmas solo.

3. Communicate with your children Once an agreement has been reached, communicate this with the children in order to show a united front and reduce any worry they may have about splitting their time between parents on Christmas. Make it a competition-free zone.

4. Make new traditions Along with how events will be scheduled, discuss with your children what the holidays will look like – what will be different and what will stay the same. Brainstorm which traditions they would like to keep and where the family can embrace new ones.

If Christmas Day isn’t going to be at your place, arrange a Christmas Eve party or a Boxing Day adventure.

If your children are still in early years, decide where Santa’s stop will be. Explain how Santa and his reindeers have time to visit only one house. It’s usually best to choose their primary home, or wherever they’ll be waking up on Christmas morning. If it isn’t your place then either drop the presents off in advance or contribute costs to the other parent.

1. Put the children first and compromise Many parents immediately think that the fairest way to manage Christmas Day is to split it down the middle, i.e. changeover at midday at a halfway point. However, when it comes to holiday scheduling and how time is shared between households, don’t focus on what’s fair between you and your ex-partner but what works best for the children. What may feel fair for Mum and Dad, may not be best for children.

Consider alternating the arrangements each year, where one parent enjoys most of Christmas Day and the other parent then Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. Whilst it may be hard for the parent who is solo on Christmas Day that particular year, why not use the opportunity to create a second Christmas Day celebration on another day. You don’t want to spend the day rushing from one event to another, or subjecting your kids children to potentially hostile changeovers.

5. Schedule in your own plans It’s your Christmas too. If you will not get the chance to see your children on Christmas Day, schedule in arrangements with your own family and friends. If anyone close to you is in the same situation, why not organise to see them.

So grab your egg nog, toast your ex, and wish them well. No matter where your children spend Christmas Day – make sure they know you’re happy and your celebrations with them will be next holiday. Then they can have the Christmas they deserve.

2. Cement your plans early Don’t wait until the week before Christmas to raise arrangements with your ex-partner. Have discussions as far in advance as possible so that both parents and children know what lies ahead. Do not add further stress by trying to sort it out last minute as this will likely heighten tensions. Hopefully some sensible discussions may lead to an agreement being reached about this day. However if this is unsuccessful then you may even need to engage a mediation service or obtain legal advice to assist in helping you sort it out.

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F O O D & L I F E S T Y LE

HAM IT UP

No Christmas setting is complete without a gorgeous ham as the main attraction. Get the perfect glaze on your all-important Christmas ham with this delicious recipe. As they say: “get some pork on your fork”.

WHAT’S Christmas without a juicy and flavoursome Australian ham on the table.

GLAZING YOUR HAM: Prepare your favourite glaze recipe.

Visit www.pork.com.au for some ideas.

Remove rind and use a sharp knife to score ham in a diamond pattern, then place ham scored side up in a large baking pan and brush over glaze.

Put in a pre-heated oven or hooded BBQ at 180°C for 20 minutes per kg, basting occasionally, until ham is brown and warmed through.

Cutting a whole cold leg ham: 1. Place ham skin side up, then run a small, sharp knife under the rind around the bottom (opposite end to hock) and each side of the ham to about halfway up. Peel the rind back.

2. Run the tip of the knife around the bone on the underside of the ham. Begin to slice on a slight angle down to the bone.

3. Run your knife lengthways along the bone to remove slices.

Continue to slice towards the hock. 4. Continue slicing down to the bone, working your way around the ham. When you’ve reached about a third of the way up, you can remove the bone by making a few short cuts at the joint.

STORING YOUR HAM: To keep your ham fresh, fold rind back over exposed surface.

Prepare a ham bag, cotton pillowcase or tea towel by soaking it in 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar and then wringing it out.

Place the ham in the bag or pillowcase or cover it with the tea towel and store in coolest part of fridge.

Re-soak the cloth in solution every few days or when it dries out.

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PHOTO: GMVOZD

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December 2018

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H O RO S C OP E S

SUMMER STARS Scorpio Oct 24th – Nov 22nd In the lead up to the festive season the days are flying by quicker than you realise, for the usual very organised Scorpio it may put you into a bit of a head spin don’t panic. Circle a date in the calendar then take to the shops with vigour remember that there are special people in your life so go on spoil them.

Sagittarius Nov 23rd – Dec 21st Christmas presents wrapped your colour scheme for this year’s festive season is picked I see a month spent spreading tinsel and joy even though it is November.

Rave reviews at work are leaving you feeling like the cat that caught the canary big smiles and why not you have earnt this through hard work, dedication and the occasional outburst of crazy.

Capricorn Dec 22nd – Jan 20th Summer will see you a little frazzled you might feel like locking horns with someone either at work or in the family.

Tension could run high, but all will be smoothed over by early December as usual Goats can be stubborn they can often find themselves in tricky situations but do manage to find a solution to all problems.

Aquarius Jan 21st – Feb 19th Aquarians are ready to take on the world this month it could be a new gym membership or kicking goals within the workforce. If looking to change your career moving up in the world now is the time. Listen to what the Universe is telling you all positive vibes are around you at present.

Pisces Feb 20th – Mar 20th If hanging around home all day has got you feeling a little down, then take to the skies and find a dream destination.

Swimming in the same fish bowl can make any Piscean yawn with boredom, travel is the only agenda so make sure your passport is up to date might be time to revamp the photo then the world is your oyster.

Aries Mar 21st – Apr 20th Summer is a great time to get your body into shape we all know how much your appearance is important so get back out there and take to a new exercise routine. Not only will it give you a great mental and physical workout you could just meet the soul mate of your dreams.

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Taurus Apr 21st – May 21st Grab the bull by the horns Taurus it is time to plan your next big adventure. If thinking about furthering your career a certain amount of extra study will be beneficial. Investigate courses offered at Universities or if looking to improve your cooking skills maybe investigate enrolling in a cookery class.

Gemini May 22nd – June 22nd Success is so near you can taste it people are noticing your skills which is fantastic as you have worked long and hard to get there. Receive their accolades with graciousness and a killer smile. Whether it is the new role you are about to embark on or a career promotion it is long overdue.

Cancer June 23rd – July 23rd Think cute and cuddly this month as your new family member is totally addicted to your presence. Cancer is the star sign of family, love and party. One thing that Cancer has in their favour is the ability to bounce back they are fiercely defiant and can give the person in their sights a great nip if they need to. Don’t party too hard as you may end up like the humble hermit crab hiding in their shell to recover.

Leo July 24th – Aug 23rd Pussycat where have you been? It is time to take some time out to play with that ball of string or chase those coloured streamers.

Lions are known for their great sense of quirky humour that is why you enjoy spending time with like-minded people. As the festive season approaches Leos will enjoy spending time with their family and friends.

Virgo Aug 24th – Sept 24th Overseas beckons it is the new beginning chapter to your future self. Whether you are on the journey solo or with someone special it will be the greatest time of your life.

Fiercely dependent you will soon make yourself part of the community they are better for your inclusion as you are so down to earth you will feel like part of the family straight away.

Libra Sept 24th – Oct 23rd So much has happened since Spring in a positive way, your career is so hectic right now you may be finding it hard to balance between home and work. It is easy really if work keeps you inspired and happy that is fantastic. Home life is right behind everything you do so you have the best of both worlds.

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